Charles Russell Speechlys is to trim its network of alliances with overseas firms as part of a post-merger review of its international strategy, the chair of the firm's international committee has said.

Legacy firms Charles Russell and Speechly Bircham had 150 referral arrangements with foreign firms between them when the pair merged in November.

The firm is set to reduce its network of 'good friends' down to two or three firms in each country, though in some larger jurisdictions – such as the US and Germany – it may keep more alliances.

The decision to cut back on its relationships is one of the early conclusions of an ongoing review of the firm's international strategy being undertaken by its international committee, which is set to conclude this summer.

Michael Lingens, chair of Charles Russell Speechlys' international committee, said: "It was a painstaking country-by-country review where we evaluated the friends each legacy firm had and where they would end up."

He said that neither legacy firm had reviewed its list of alliances "for a few years" so a revision of the list was "overdue".

He added: "It was easier than we thought; each firm had gaps and each firm had not so good friends… The jigsaws ended up fitting together well."

However, Lingens declined to provide figures for how many alliances were being scrapped as a consequence of the review.

Lingens also said the firm had not ruled out opening another international office once the ongoing the strategy review is complete, but it was more likely that the firm would acquire another firm or team to build its presence overseas.

He added that there are currently no future revenue targets for the firm's six overseas offices, but these should come into place at the close of the review with a view to boosting overall international revenue.

Charles Russell Speechlys currently has six international offices: Doha, Geneva, Luxembourg, Manama, Paris and Zurich.

The firm's international committee is comprised of six lawyers, three from each legacy firm.